So, I could see you smh-ing and muttering about white privilege even as I wrote last night.
Your response is masterful, and I hope you’d already know that I don’t disagree with a single word. And truthfully, if I was black I don’t know that I’d have much hope for white people, either; hell, I don’t have a ton of hope for us as it is. Here’s the thing, though. Without any hope, we’ve got nothing. Plus, I am saturated in white privilege and I can’t shed my skin, so I’ve got to look for other ways to use that whiteness for some good. And of course I can’t change the past and I am but one person, so I’ve got to work with what I’m given and try to use my resources wisely to have as much effect as possible.
You’re absolutely right that someone changing their minds now doesn’t make up for previous votes, doesn’t make your life any easier, and doesn’t bring back the dead. But some of those Trump voters are still out celebrating, and some others will never see any sort of light. So I am looking for those I can possibly effect. The woman from GA? Everything you said, but also was a caring nurse, had black neighbors she would have died for and who would have died for her, tried to integrate her church, delivered Meals on Wheels for years, gave heavily to charity…the type of person who can be influenced. One of the guys who voted conservatively is socially liberal but living in a rich man’s bubble; I’m trying to educate him on how his views are at odd with each other and hurting people.
Yep — certainly not innocent. But these kinds of people show hope of changing, and having them not change wouldn’t help anyone. (And I know you believe people can change because I’ve read your stuff on your dad!) I really fear that you might be right that many will revert when facing a less blatant candidate. I am definitely guilty of being more complacent at times in my life, but now I know that none of us can ever let down our guard. I do hope that everything that is happening now will leave some other eyes wide open going forward.
I’m interested in your comment about rejecting capitalism. I have moved further and further away from it, but what exactly do you mean by saying that you hope one day black people will wake up and reject capitalism, the American dream, etc.? Do you have explicit ideas on how to make that happen? I am very open to new ideas!
